Arriving in central Bordeaux via the airport bus, we passed the huge Bordeaux Parc des Expositions where the four day ‘Jumping Bordeaux’ show was being held, host to the 2022-23 the FEI Driving World Cup final.  Nestled against a large lake, the exhibition centre is allegedly a kilometre long, something I can testify to having spent three days leisurely walking up and down it’s length, for various reasons.  Going towards the event entrance the day before the competition started, we passed the lorry park and while pointing out the drivers’ lorries, we wondered what was going on in their heads on a sunny and leisurely Friday afternoon.

Entry into the show is so straightforward, and security and ticket checks are relaxed and well spaced out, so there is very little queuing.  Luckily for us, our press passes open the doors and slide us through with ease, but even if we hadn’t been armed with these golden tickets, it seemed very easy to gain entry.

Remembering our bearings from three years ago when we attended the 2019-20 final at the same venue, we started to walk from one end of the venue all the way through the massive trade stand area to the press accreditation zone.  Along the way we passed two smaller arenas that host expert exhibitions, displays and have-a-go opportunities, which are mixed in with the eateries, shopping area and concessions.  Although the hall is massive, the open and flowing layout works and helps to make a full day at the show fly by and there is ample room for the huge audiences who visit on a daily basis.  As we progressed deeper into the bowels of the hall, the variety of equine based trade stands was astonishing, all with high quality products.  It’s always interesting to look at the new innovations of saddlery and the latest fashions in the at equine world, especially in another country. I particularly liked seeing the feed merchants, the field management and the stable equipment manufacturers as it’s fertile ground for gleaning good ideas for yard formations and layouts.

Leading towards the main arena, the collecting ring is open all sides which allows spectators to view  the competitors up close as they warm up and school their horses.  Nothing is left unseen which in today’s era of social media ensures that good practice is maintained, and all is above board in terms of clean sport, management and training methods with the horses and ponies.

The media centre is possibly the best in the world.  On arrival there is a warm greeting and as a working hub for many people who have deadlines with of reports to file, interviews to film and general day today media work to fulfil, it is a hive of activity.  The coffee is to die for and after three days I was almost bouncing off the ceiling.  The lunchboxes are full, delicious and nutritious, and there’s plenty to go round.  The show understands the importance of keeping those who report on it very sweet.  The volunteers who work in the media centre are charming and helpful, and made our jobs so much easier as they spoke excellent English, which is a boost as our schoolgirl French is very patchy.

What is very interesting is the more open approach on the Continent to running these sorts of world class events where it’s all about the staff and volunteers making it a welcoming and fun experience for the public.  They are dressed uniformly but casually in black trousers, white shirts and maroon gilets and are as accommodating as they can be without being officious.  All this helps those at the vibe seem more laid back and therefore even in high density areas; for instance around the collecting ring, the atmosphere was positive, inclusive and about enjoyment.  

On the odd occasion when things went awry, the security personnel were swift and efficient in their response, making their intolerance of any negative behaviour unequivocal.  At one stage during a big jumping class, protestors made it into the main arena, which of course had the potential to stop the show and could have been extremely disruptive.  But, with a fast and effective approach, a protestor was taken from the arena and things went on as before.  There was no pussy footing around, being woke or minding the politically correct rules; simply, such behaviours are not allowed and are dealt with decisively, not least because they impede everyone else’s pleasure and social time, and this was clearly not the place to be making one sided statements.

Friday was a very busy day in terms of footfall and we witnessed long crocodile lines of school children being shepherded around the show as schools from the region brought their classes out to see entertainment and educate the youngsters about the equine world from all angles.  These children were polite and seemed to be interested in what was going on.  Even the hotels right across the city were aware of what was happening and factors like the easy travel on the trams (which were decorated with ‘Jumping Bordeaux’ posters) made it all very welcoming, for all ages.

The equine displays were varied and entertaining, from working different horses and ponies from the ground, to basic and advanced dressage demonstrations, to jumping sessions for all ages or have-a-go horse-ball sessions aimed at children.  We saw all ages actually having a go on quiet ponies.  There was a low-key demonstration of a pony pair driving an obstacle, with full explanations about what the driver was doing and it was delivered in a ‘You too could do this’ way which had the crowds entralled, standing 3-4 deep.

Observing the different classes in the big ring for both national and international classes for indoor x-country, dressage and jumping, not forgetting the driving, it’s fascinating to see how the horses react to not only the atmosphere but to the task in hand.  In particular, for a jumping class, I watched one horse jump a good first round which was steady, measured and clear but during the the jump off it was quite a different animal – keen to get at the jumps and reacting as if it was on high alert, sizing up the turns and grabbing at the reins to just jump.  And jump it did – fast, clean, smooth and then at the end it sauntered out of the arena with quite a nonchalant attitude!

We can only evaluate a horse’s state of mind through our own interpretation, and often to try and understand it, we relate to how we as humans might behave.  There is definitely an energy and aura that these top horses exude; their ears are pricked and they seem to be able to wind it up when the occasions calls, champing at the bit one minute ready to perform and then once the job is done, they are instantly laid back, relaxed and chilled.  I found myself asking myself if their conduct and demeanour is not far superior to that of many of us humans,  who would not respond half so well to such a pressurized situation.

Working at such a big international show is not for the fainthearted, despite the surface glamour of it all.  There are long miles to walk, hours on your feet and you are a small cog in a vast wheel where everybody who has a job to do does it to the highest standards – however big or small the role is.  Being there is an opportunity to see the best of the best competing on the world stage, which is always fascinating, with a rare chance to participate with an insider’s viewpoint.  What stands out are the characters and the professionalism, all factors that are par for the course at this level, but you don’t get a sense of it sitting at home watching it on television.  Being able to be a tiny crumb in this massive at equine banquet is something to be lodged in the bank of memories and after a fabulous weekend in Bordeaux, I for one want to do it all over again!